QKAG: Issue # 145

PAST ISSUE # 145
Questions Kids Ask About God

Question: What is a priest?

Answer: In the Old Testament, a priest is someone who is called by God to intercede between God and man. According to the law of Moses, a priest must be from the tribe of Levi (Numbers 1:50; Deuteronomy 10:8). The job of the priest was to bring offerings to God and ask for His forgiveness on behalf of the Jews (Leviticus 4:21). He also had to teach and minister to the people, lead in corporate worship, and do the work in the tabernacle or temple. After Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins, we no longer need priests to intercede on our behalf to God. This is because we can now go directly to God the Father through His Son, Jesus (John 14:6). We can now pray and ask God directly for the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus (Hebrews 4:12, 10:19). Jesus has become our high priest who intercedes for us (Hebrews 5:9-10, 7:25). Therefore, we, Christians are considered priests because we have direct access to God through Jesus (1 Peter 2:5, 9). As a "royal priesthood," we are able to intercede on behalf of the people who are lost, sick or needy. We have been given priestly powers and privileges to minister to God and people (Revelation 1:5-6).

Key Bible verses:
Numbers 3:6-8, 45; Deuteronomy 17:9-10; 1 Chronicles 6:48; 2 Chronicles 31:2; Philippians 4:3

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus who is my eternal High Priest. Thank You for His sacrifice on the cross for my sins so that I can now pray to You directIy. Thank You for calling me to be Your priest on earth. Please help me to use my priestly powers and privileges to be a blessing to the lost, sick or needy. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Last words...
"To Him (Jesus) who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father--to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 1:6)

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